Des Moines Water Works CEO Bill Stowe still needs some convincing that the city of Des Moines can justify increasing the fee charged to utilities and businesses taking up space in public rights of way from 0.85 cent a linear foot to 15 cents, The Des Moines Register reported. The water utility would see its fee rise from $35,762 this year to an estimated $631,000 in five years when the increase is fully phased in. The increase is a proposal, for now, but Stowe wants to see some data justifying the hike.